Lt. Col. Tarleton
1782
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1782
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Lt. Col. Tarleton is a 1782 by John Raphael Smith, a Romanticism work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
A young man in a military uniform leans casually against a horse, one hand resting on its reins. His tall hat sits slightly askew, and he wears a dark jacket with light breeches and boots. A sword hangs at his side, and the horse’s tack is detailed with ornate designs. The background is blurry, but you can make out a few scattered items, like a saddle and what looks like a flag or cloth. The horse’s eye is wide and alert, almost staring past the man. The whole scene feels tense, like a moment frozen before action. Next, check out chiaroscuro to see how light and shadow create drama in paintings.
